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Chambersburg Borough Council to discuss firefighter suspension ruling

By SAMANTHA COSSICK@SCossickPO

Updated:
02/10/2013 05:43:36 PM EST

CHAMBERSBURG - Chambersburg Borough Council is scheduled tonight to discuss the results of a recent Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board opinion as well as hear a presentation on potential plans for the former County Market building.

Council will meet at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers of Borough Hall, 100 S. Second St. The meeting is open to the public.

According to the preliminary agenda, council will discuss the PLRB opinion regarding the suspension of a local firefighter and union president, then authorize officials to proceed with recommendations.

On Jan. 30, the PLRB released its proposed decisions and orders stating that Chambersburg Fire Department Capt. Patrick R. Martin, who also serves a president of the Greater Chambersburg Area Paid Fire Fighters IAFF Local 1813, was found not to have violated labor statutes when he sent a letter to IAFF union members, reminding them of union bylaws.

The board also found that the borough was, in fact, in violation of Pennsylvania's labor statutes when officials suspended Martin for 240 working hours - 10 days - for sending the letter.

Provided the borough does not file any exceptions, the order will become final in 20 days and the borough will have to meet several orders, which include rescinding Martin's suspension.

"The borough solicitor will be evaluating the preliminary opinion to determine what objections, if any, might need be filed with respect to this case," Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill said in a previous report.

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In other business, council will also hear a presentation from PIRHL Developers and Interfaith House Alliance about a potential redevelopment project and funding requests related to the Southgate Shopping Center and former County Market building.

Chambersburg Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal on Tuesday and recommended it to council for consideration.

The plan includes tearing down the former County Market building and adding 40 more housing units, which will be similar to the senior housing complex currently at the shopping center.

According to the plans, at least one member of the household must be 64 or older to qualify for the housing, which will include single-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

If everything goes as planned and is approved by the proper authorities, the proposed complex will be at qualified occupancy by August 2015, officials said.

- Staff writer Lauren Cappuccio contributed to this report.

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Samantha Cossick can be reached at scossick@publicopinionnews.com and 262-4762.